5 Cleveland Browns whose stocks sunk after Chargers heartbreaker

4. Cleveland Browns Safeties

The Browns cornerback position is already depleted, and we’re only through Week 5. Heck, A.J. Green, an undrafted player who spent most of 2020 on the practice squad was starting and playing major snaps in this one.

And wile Green did get torched on a Mike Williams touchdown, it was Clevelands’ safeties that were a disaster. Miscommunication seemed to dominate the day, as a couple of Justin Herbert’s touchdowns passes were to receivers who didn’t have a defender within 10 yards of them.

John Johnson blew coverages, as did Ronnie Harrison. The duo surrendered 97 yards and three touchdown throws, according to PFF’s postgame analysis. Woof!

These are supposed to be big time players in Cleveland’s secondary and its’ not the first time they’ve failed to pick up the deep receiver.

Looking at the rest of the secondary, Green gave up a a big play, but he was also credited with two pass deflections. Greedy Williams allowed seven receptions, but only for 42 yards.

Denzel Ward left with a neck injury and the team was already without Greg Newsome. They were put in a tough spot, but it doesn’t change the bottom line: The guys who were out there could make stops.